Brook



(No Model.)

0. s. WESTBROOK.

RAILWAY TIE.

No. 302,966. Patentgd Aug. 5, 1884.

' INVENTOR.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEQ CHARLES S. VFESTBROOK, OF SPRAGUEVILLE, NEW YORK.

RA'I LWAY-Tl E.

'SPECIPICATION fQrming part of Letters Patent No. 302,966, dated August 5, 1884:.

Application filed December 3, 1883.

had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- 1 Figural is a perspective View of a railway tie embodying my improvement. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modified constructionof the same, and Fig. 3is a cross'section showing the bridge which constitutes my improvement made separate from and attached to the body of the tie.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention has relation to metallic railway-ties made of sheet metal, malleable iron, or cast-iron; and it consists in so constructing the body of the tie that the ballast or road-filling may be suitably tamped and compacted underneath the body of the tie without at the same time weakening the construction of the same.

I have in another application shown and described a railway-tie invented by me, which consists of a fiat top part, A, and parallel side flanges, B, constructed in like manner, substantially as shown in the annexed drawings, to which reference is made, and having an opening, 0, in its top part. By means of this opening, which extends between the chairs for fastening the rails to the tie, the ballast or road-filling may be ramped and compacted underneath the tie and against its side flanges, so as to fix it thoroughly in the roadbed of (No model.)

the permanent way, which cannot well be done where the top of the tie is made in a solid piece. I have found by-experience,however, that in certain cases, especially where the body of the tie is constructed of sheet metal of a comparatively light grade,for thepurpose of reducing its weightas well as cost of manufacture, it becomes desirable to strengthen the top part of the tie, especially as to lateral strain, or strain exercised against the side flanges by tamping or compacting the bal last, and I therefore construct the top of the tie with a bridge. or cross-brace, D, connecting the horizontal side flanges, E E, and either made in one piece with the body of the tie, as shown in Fig. 1, or in aseparate piece,

bolted to the flanges E E on opposite sides, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. While this bridge will not materially interfere with the tamping or compacting of the ballast underneath the tie,it will greatly increase its strength and durability by connecting those parts of the top of the tie which are midway between the rail chairs. The bolt-holes F (shown on opposite sides of the central aperture, 0) are for the at taehment of the rail-chairs.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- A metallic railway-tie having an opening approximating the width of the tie, and extending between the rail-chairs, and provided with a bridge or cross-brace spanning said opening, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES S. "WESTBROOK.

Witnesses:

MARION A. BACON, HARRIET E. lVnsTBnooK. 

